Planetary Health and social-ecological research in the Anthropocene. An introduction to the Special Focus

Safeguarding planetary health for southeast Asia's future children

Planetary health: from concept to decisive action

This workshop is dedicated to different types of deals/arrangements relating environmental health to planetary health, healthy energy, arrangements linking science to actions, and statement given by experts to recognise health in ambitious initiatives toward zero pollution. By presentations about planetary health education, it will underline the role of training as a cornerstone for international sustainable public health deals. The Lancet Public Health underlines: “No public health without planetary health”, the future health of the planet and human health are inextricably linked. Planetary health should be part of all global, national but also regional and local deals to improve sustainability worldwide. Further research and applications of the public health (PH) Education Framework are needed in order to increase evidence and awareness in PH and strengthen PH collaboration in Europe and beyond. Workshop will also discuss the European response and transformation towards healthy energy, as a part of many agreements/deals, especially European Green Deal. Science and the accelerating scale of environmental degradation tells us we have to be more ambitious and strive to zero pollution. Health-based approach can be the overarching principle to deliver on these ambitions. For a healthy planet for healthy people we need to have more determined action plans that will deliver on zero pollution and have a sound health-based approach. To achieve better public health, false solutions to the current energy, unsustainable and polluting energy crisis, is to go ambitiously for zero-pollution solutions. Looking for a strong argument for Clean air deals, the researchers will present their preliminary results of costs of air pollution impact on health in the Western Balkans (WB). It is well documented that poor air quality is responsible for increased risk of mortality and morbidity. The WB region was selected for this study because it is one of the air pollution hotspots in Europe where the levels of PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and O3 are frequently above the EU Air Quality Directive guidelines. Air pollution impact on health has a relatively higher economic burden in the WB compared to EU27 due to both the higher pollution levels and the lower per capita GDP. The external costs of air pollution is a strong argument to consider health as a priority in every policy area at national level as well as international agreements. Furthermore workshop will also present an initiative regarding health experts’ voice for Healthier Choice - a call for Zero Air Pollution in the WB. Health experts in the WB have joined forces to highlight the importance of air quality actions and achieving zero air pollution as a prevention intervention for public health. Health experts highlight that in Green Agenda for the WB the most needed are clear goals of achieving zero pollution and a timeline in the near future. Key messages • Planetary health should be part of all global, national but also regional and local deals to improve sustainability worldwide. • The external costs of air pollution is a strong argument to consider health as a priority in every policy area at national level as well as international agreements.

Planetary health: a new science for exceptional action

This review explored research trends in One Health and planetary health in the Arab world, a region confronting major sustainability challenges. These fields are crucial in combating global pressing concerns like infectious diseases, biodiversity loss, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and air pollution. The COVID-19 pandemic stressed their significance to global health and sustainable development. This analysis assessed the Arab world's contributions to these concepts applying performance analysis and visualization mapping, revealing that One Health outperformed planetary health in terms of productivity and number of contributed countries. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have emerged as leading contributors to One Health and planetary health research in the Arab world. Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom, as non-Arab nations, play a pivotal role in fostering collaborative efforts with the region. The trajectory of One Health research has indeed shown remarkable exponential growth, especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, which is an indication of increasing relevance in the address of global health challenges. Conversely, planetary health presents an irregular growth pattern, with a strong point in the development of this area standing out in 2023. The unique set of social, cultural, governance, and agricultural attributes of the Arab region are joined by major environmental challenges that define the focus of both One Health and planetary health research efforts. Climate change, environmental contexts, and public health feature prominently in both One Health and planetary health, with One Health focusing mainly on infectious diseases and planetary health addressing the implications of climate change on human health. Advancing these concepts demands the establishment of a regional governing body to oversee an integrated One Health and planetary health strategy, foster regional research communities and alliances, secure political will and funding, and ensure the integration of these concepts into policy and academic frameworks.

A framework to guide planetary health education

The role of midwives in advancing planetary health: A contemporary issue in education and practice.

On the possibility of decolonising planetary health: exploring new geographies for collaboration

The triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss has deleterious consequences for local and global public health. Nursing is among the diverse evidence-based disciplines now working to advance planetary health for all. We offer examples from nurse scholars at two academic institutions in the United States, sharing insights and best practices for integrating planetary health in nursing education and research. At both institutions, planetary health is embedded across courses and tailored to align with nursing competencies and the Planetary Health Education Framework. Students’ international exposure fosters a global perspective on health equity and environmental resilience. This curriculum transformation demonstrates a paradigm shift towards environmental and social responsibility in nursing, preparing future nurses to address complex planetary health issues. This article also explores the role of nursing research in promoting planetary health, focusing on the intersection of health inequities and environmental justice in racialized and low-income communities. Examples include Indigenous-led research to address gender-based violence and environmental exploitation, highlighting the interconnectedness of land and body sovereignty in Indigenous health. Additionally, research on the health impacts of pollution in Black communities demonstrates how environmental hazards increase chronic health issues. Nurse-led research advocates for collaborative partnerships to support public health resilience in communities overburdened by the triple planetary health crisis. The research has revealed that public health nurses require increased organizational support to promote planetary health. Our collective expertise in nursing education and research illustrates the need for nurses to serve as champions for social, environmental, and multispecies justice. We advocate for nursing school leadership to strategically incorporate planetary health resources emphasizing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Institutional support is vital for planetary health education and research, and merit systems should recognize the time and effort needed to build authentic community partnerships. The article concludes with a call for nursing leadership in planetary health, emphasizing the transformative potential of nursing to advocate for and protect all forms of life.

Amplifying the voice of youth through planetary health films

Climate change and health promotion in Australia: Navigating political, policy, advocacy and research challenges.

Given the urgent need for multilateral action for planetary health, the scope of planetary health research must be broadened. Key challenges are currently addressed through disconnected approaches and fragmented policy making. Planetary health is an integrative approach that can enhance synergies across multiple fragmented agendas, notably related to health, environment, human rights, and security. It is high time to boost an overlooked area: planetary health diplomacy. This involves measuring progress beyond gross domestic product, broadening the understanding of security to include planetary health, and reforming international organisations to ensure the protection of a rule-based international order. Efforts to address them lack a truly holistic narrative. The science of planetary health goes beyond the currently politicised climate change agenda. So far, planetary health studies have privileged natural science in order to become more impactful. However, the insights gained through this work deserve to be translated into actionable policies for decision makers. More social scientists are therefore needed in this process. Scholars of international relations are under-represented in the planetary health community. The absence of political scientists, lawyers, foreign policy experts, diplomats, and civil servants who are committed to translating planetary health knowledge into effective action comes at a high cost. Policy decisions are being reshaped in the context of evolving pandemic recovery planning, and strategies to advance planetary health that do not take account of unfolding shifts in global power relations are doomed to fail. With only a decade remaining to shift gears towards achieving the SDGs, there is no time to spare. de Paula, N. (2021). Planetary health diplomacy: a call to action. The Lancet. Planetary Health, 5(1), e8-e9. doi:10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30300-4.

Background In 2017, the Lancet group launched The Lancet Planetary Health to promote the dissemination of research conducted in this field. Planetary health was also extensively discussed during the World Congress on Public Health 2020, which underlines the strategic importance recognized to this topic by experts and researchers active in public health at an international level. The aim was to investigate the role of public health university departments in the field of planetary health. Methods The Lancet Planetary Health database was queried from the inception to February 2021, to retrieve original articles or reviews whose first and/or last author was affiliated to a University Department of Public Health worldwide. We used the twenty-six EUPHA operational sections to define the research areas of the identified articles. The following data were extracted: study design, EUPHA area, research question, topic, identified gaps in the literature, and key concepts. Results Out of 543 entries, 44 original articles and reviews were included. Thirty-two percent studies were conducted in Asia, 20% in America, 13% in Europe, 8% in Oceania, 4% in Africa while 23% in a multicentric global context. The area investigated was mainly environmental and health (68%) followed by infectious disease control (14%). Collaboration across different disciplines is highly present in the authorships. Regarding the study design, 30% of the included articles were cohort studies. Conclusions From 2017 till February 2021, the number of studies performed by public health researchers published on The Lancet Planetary Health is gradually increasing. Since published articles take advantage of the typical research methods and topics of public health and environmental health research, public health university departments can contribute to planetary health science if they seek transdisciplinary collaboration and adopt a planetary health vision.

Planetary health is a concept that focuses not only on human health but wider - on the health of our planet. Health is not only a privilege of human beings. Planetary health emphasizes the interconnected nature of human health and environmental health. This also makes a shift in the direction from human anthropocentricity to a more fair approach - health of the whole planet. Human well-being is dependent on the health of the planet, including clean air, water, and food sources. Paradigm shift towards planetary health promotes a holistic view of health that encompasses social, economic, and environmental factors. It considers the complex interactions between humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems. Planetary health insists on a preventative approach by addressing root causes such as pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. We should be aware of human responsibility linked to terrible symptoms of our Planet like heat waves, fires, droughts, floods... Planetary health approaches underline the importance of sustainable practices that protect the environment, promoting human health, but also actions to achieve that. By adopting sustainable lifestyles, industries, and policies, we can ensure the well-being of current and future generations. Planetary health calls for global collaboration, interconnecting nature, environment and human health challenges. By prioritizing planetary health, we show that we can be less selfish and that we respect nature and the environment. Planetary health insists on a paradigm shift towards a more integrated and sustainable approach using social and nature sciences in a holistic approach. But, we should also use Planetary health concept as a call for peace, which is a condition for all other achievements.

Planetary health explores the complex interconnections between human health and the state of natural systems. From heatwaves and air pollution to biodiversity loss and food insecurity, environmental change is already shaping global health outcomes. By integrating planetary health principles, researchers can contribute to the uptake of innovative solutions and approaches that address both human well-being and ecological resilience. This seminar aims to empower participants to become catalysts for transformative change, bridging disciplinary divides to tackle the urgent health and environmental challenges of our time. The seminar introduces the foundational concepts of planetary health and provides practical examples of how to apply systems thinking and enhance a transdisciplinary approach to research. Participants will strengthen their capacity to embed planetary health thinking into their own research and professional practice, recognizing relevant environmental impacts within their field, and identifying opportunities for more sustainable and impactful health-promoting approaches. This skills building seminar offers a space for shared learning and interdisciplinary dialogue to help align health research with the challenges of a rapidly changing planet.Key messages• This Pecha Kucha seminar introduces the foundations of planetary health and empowers researchers and public health experts to integrate this thinking into their work.• The seminar offers a space for shared learning and interdisciplinary dialogue to help align public health research with the challenges of a rapidly changing planet.